Electric lamp attachment



Get. 6, 1936. H. A. MARSINO ELECTRIC LAMP ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 5, 1935gym/wanton; f/Q'ro/Jfl Jib 131320.

Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to electric lamps and particularly to anextension lamp attachment for portable electric lamps, such as floorlamps and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lamp extensionwhich may be readily attached to or removed from a conventional electricfloor lamp without the necessity of making any change in the floor lampor of disarranging any part thereof. When in place, the extensionattachment provides an auxiliary lamp at the outer end of the extensionso that the floor lamp may be located, for instance, at the side of abridge table with the auxiliary lamp suspended over the center of thetable to concentrate its light directly on the persons seated at thetable and on the playing surface. Thus, there is no need of the usualpractice of placing several floor lamps about a table in order to secureillumination, which even then is inadequate.

A further object is to provide for lighting the extension lamp alone, orthe floor lamp may also be lighted to provide additional generalillumination if desired.

Of particular importance are the form of the extension attachment andthe manner in which it is mounted upon the floor lamp so as to precludetipping over or upsetting of the latter, either because of the Weight orleverage of the attachment or as a result of a person accidentallystriking it.

Provision is also made for adjusting the extension lamp both verticallyand horizontally while supported by the floor lamp, so as to permitloca- 35 tion of the lamp in substantially any desired position.

Further features of the attachment include the simplicity, neatness andattractiveness of its design, the extremely light weight of thestructure,

40 and the low cost at which it may be manufactured. Other features andadvantages will appear hereinafter.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing illustrating a practicalembodiment of the device now in use.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the attachment mounted upon aconventional floor lamp with the auxiliary lamp suspended over a table.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevation, partly in section,showing the manner of connecting the extension to the floor lamp.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the mode of mounting the auxiliarylamp on the outer end of the extension.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modification of the connection between theattachment and the floor lamp.

Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 2, showing the connection betweenthe attachment and a floor lamp of a slightly different type. 5

The conventional floor lamp shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 comprises theusual base 6, standard or post I and the enlargement 8 at the upper endof the standard which carries the lamp sockets 9, 9. The upper end ofstandard 1 has a threaded stud or reduced portion I I (Figure 2) whichcarries the internally threaded, shade securing'knob or nut l2.

'The shade I3 is supported on the lamp by a spider l4 forming part ofthe shade frame. This spider includes a centrally perforated disk 15which fits over stud II and rests on the annular shoulder l6 formed byenlargement 8, so that, when knob I2 is tightened, the shade is rigidlysecured in place on the lamp. Pull chains I1, I! are provided on thesockets 9, 9.

The extension lamp attachment for the floor lamp described is in theform of an elongated arm rigidly attached to and extending substantiallyhorizontally from the top of the floor lamp as 25 shown in Figure 1. Thearm, which is preferably in the formof a fiat strip of springy metalsuch as brass or Wrought iron, comprises a main horizontal portion [8.The outer end of this arm carries the auxiliary lamp socket l9 having aswitch 20 and a bulb 2|.

Inwardly of portion l8, the arm takes the form of an upwardly inclinedportion 23 which merges into a curved portion 24, the greater part ofwhich latter extends beyond the vertical axis of the floor lampdiametrically opposite the main portion l8 of the attachment arm. Thus,the arm is curved backwardly beneath itself and is continued to form ahorizontal portion 26 which extends between knob l2 and disk IE on thefloor lamp. In portion 26, there is an opening 21 (Figure 2) throughwhich stud l I on the floor lamp standard extends. With the partsassembled as described, it will be seen that, when knob I2 is tightened,portion 26 of the extension arm will be tightly clamped between the knoband disk l5 and the extension arm will be asrigidly mounted on the floorlamp as though it were an integral part of the same.

Auxiliary lamp socket [9 has a shade 28 mounted thereon. A ring 29,rigidly secured in the socket, is mounted in a second ring 3| (Figure3). Ring 3! has a base 32 and a reduced threaded stud 33 which projectsthrough an opening 34 in the outer end portion I8 01 the extension arm.

A knob or nut 36, having a threaded socket, receives stud 33 and securesring 3| rigidly in place. Thus, with the double ring mounting described,there is provided a swivel support which insures the auxiliary lamphanging with its shade 28 in substantially vertical position at alltimes.

Running from auxiliary socket I9 is an extension cord 31 which isthreaded through suitable openings 38 located at intervals in theextension arm. In this manner the cord is held snugly against the armand does not detract from the neatness and attractiveness of the device.The inner portion of electric cord 31 is preferably wound around theextension and at its end has a removable prong connector 39 which isplugged into a removable screw plug 4| located in one of the sockets 9of the floor lamp. The other socket 9 has a bulb l0 therein.

With the extension lamp attached to the floor lamp as described, it willbe seen that there is provided such a supporting inter-connection between the two that, although the extension projects outwardly aconsiderable distance from the floor lamp, there is no tendency for theassembly to topple over. This is due in part to the extreme lightness ofthe attachment and its substantial centering relatively to the entirefloor lamp structure, including its base 6.

Any tipping tendency which might be set up by the weight of the armportion l8 and the other portions of the extension on the one side ofthe vertical axis of the floor lamp, is oifset by the fact that all ofthis part of the structure and in fact the entire attachment, issupported from the floor lamp solely at a point on the diametricallyopposite side of the axis or the floor lamp. In a sense, this provides acounter-balanced arrangement, and even possesses advantages thereoverbecause of the springy nature of the extension arm. Any accidentalupward blow struck the extension will only cause it to spring up anddown momentarily, thus absorbing the shock of the blow and resisting anytendency of the structure to tip over. A side blow will cause theextension to swing horizontally about stud 33.

The last mentioned feature also provides for horizontal adjustment ofthe auxiliary lamp to any desired position without disturbing the shadel3. Vertical adjustment to compensate for an unusually low or anunusually high floor lamp, is obtained by bending arm l8 upwardly ordownwardly at the junction between portion l8 and inclined portion 23.When such adjustment is made the described swivel connection between theauxiliary lamp and the extension arm permits shade 28 to automaticallyadjust itself to proper vertical position.

Auxiliary bulb 2| may be controlled directly by its switch 20 or by pullchain I! on the floor lamp, while the other chain I! may be manipulatedto light bulb ID or to extinguish it, as desired.

Even when not in use the extension may remain attached to the floor lampwithout detracting from its appearance. Obviously, when desired, thedevice may readily be removed from the floor lamp by merely pulling outconnector 39 and unscrewing and removing knob I2. The extension may thenbe lifted off of stud II and knob |2 replaced to secure the shade l3. Tomount the attachment on the floor lamp, the reverse of the simpleoperations just described is followed. This may be done without evendisarranging shade l3. 7

The extension lamp is shown in Figure 1 as suspended over the center ofa bridge table A.

Thus sufficient light is projected on the table surface and on thepersons seated thereabout without the aid of another light, althoughbulb I0 may also be used if desired. This materially reduces theelectricity consumed, since a small bulb furnishes the requiredillumination, whereas several bulbs of higher capacity would otherwisebe employed. In view of the length of the extension arm, the fioor lampmay stand some distance from the table, so as not to interfere with thepersons seated thereabout.

The modification of Figure 4 involves providing an elongated opening 42in horizontal portion 26 of the extension arm, so that the extension maybe moved a limited distance radially on stud M if necessary to properlycenter or balance the attachment on the floor lamp structure. Thisprobably would be necessary only where the floor lamp has an unusuallysmall base 6.

In Figure 5 there is shown the connection be tween the attachment and afloor lamp having a slightly difierent top construction. In this case,the lamp standard I has a threaded socket 43 and a threaded stud 44 isformed on the lower end of knob I2. The remainder of the floor lampremains unchanged and there is no change in the auxiliary lampattachment. With the perforated shade holder disk l5 centered oversocket 43, the stud of knob I2 is inserted in the alined openings andscrewed into socket 43 until all of the parts are secured firmlytogether ready for use.

While the device has been particularly described for attachment to floorlamps, it is understood that it may also be used with table and otherlamps suited to the purpose. Likewise the assembled lamp and attachmentare adapted for use in concentrating a light not only over a table, butmay also be used at a work bench, at a reading chair or wherever such anarrangement may be needed.

While a practical embodiment of the invention has been shown, it is tobe understood that various changes may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit of the invention except as the same may be limited bythe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with' a portable lamp having an upright standard, anelectric lamp socket and a. shade, of a readily detachable extensionlamp device comprising an elongated arm having a supporting part rigidlybut removably attached to the standard and projecting outwardly asubstantial distance at one side thereof and a body part connected onlyto the outer end of said supporting part and extending across the upperend of the standard with the major portion of said arm projectingoutwardly at the opposite side of the standard, said body part of thearm being devoid of support except for said connection with thesupporting part of the arm, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at theouter end of said body part of the arm, and a detachable electricalconnection between the socket on the standard and.

the auxiliary socket.

2. The combination with a portable floor lamp having a base, an uprightstandard, electric lamp sockets provided with individual switches, ashade and shade securing means including a removable knob and a threadedstud connecting the knob and the standard and projecting through aportion of the shade structure, of an extension lamp device comprisingan elongated arm having a supporting part removably secured to andprojecting outwardly a substantial distance from the standard at oneside thereof and a body part connected only to the outer end of saidsupporting part and extending across the top of the lamp with the majorportion of said arm projecting outwardly at the opposite side of thestandard, said body part of the arm being devoid of support except forsaid connection with the supporting part of the arm, while saidsupporting part is located between the knob and said portion of theshade structure and has an opening through which the stud extends,whereby the knob, when tightened, secures the shade and the arm on thestandard, an auxiliary lamp socket at the outer end of the arm providedwith a switch and a detachable electrical connectionbbetweeri one of thesockets on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

3. The combination with a portable lamp having an upright standard, anelectric lamp socket and shade securing means, of an extension lampdevice comprising an elongated arm projecting from one side of thestandard and having its inner end detachably secured to the standard bysaid shade securing means, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at theouter end of said extension arm, and a detachable electrical connectionbetween the socket on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

4. The combination with a portable lamp having an upright standard,electric lamp sockets, a shade and shade securing means including anupstanding threaded stud on the standard projecting through a portion ofthe shade structure. and a detachable, internally threaded knob on thestud, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm projectingfrom one side of the standard, the inner end of said arm being locatedbetween said portion of the shade structure and the knob and providedwith an opening through which said stud extends whereby the knob, whentightened, serves to secure the extension arm and the shade in place onthe standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of theextension arm, and a detachable electrical connection between one of thefirst mentioned sockets and the auxiliary socket.

5. The combination with a portable lamp having an upright standard,electric lamp sockets, a shade and shade securing means including a knobhaving a depending, threaded stud projecting through a portion of theshade structure and into a threaded socket in the standard, of anextension lamp device comprising an elongated arm projecting from oneside of the standard, the inner end of said arm being located betweensaid portion of the shade structure and the knob and provided with anopening through which said stud extends whereby the knob, whentightened, serves to secure the extension arm and the shade in place onthe standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of theextension arm, and a detachable electrical connection between one of thefirst mentioned sockets and the auxiliary socket.

6. The combination with a portable lamp having a base, an uprightstandard, an electric lamp socket and a shade, of an extension lampdevice comprising an elongated arm disposed across the upper end of thestandard with the major portion thereof located at one side of thestandard, a detachable supporting connection between the standard andthe arm adapted for adjustment to shift the arm bodily in the directionof its length and thereby vary the length of the major portion of thearm located at said side of the standard, an auxiliary electric lampsocket at the outer end of the major portion of the arm, and adetachable electrical connection between the socket on the standard andthe auxiliary socket.

7. The combination with a portable lamp having a base, an uprightstandard, an electric lamp socket, a shade and removable shade securingmeans including a knob and a threaded stud connecting the knob and thestandard and projecting through a portion of the shade structure, of anextension lamp device comprising an elongated arm disposed across theupper end of the standard with the major portion thereof located at oneside of the standard, the inner end of said arm being located betweensaid portion of the shade structure and the knob and provided with anelongated opening through which said stud extends whereby the knob, whentightened, serves to secure the arm and the shade in place on thestandard, but may be loosened to permit lengthwise adjustment of the armon the stud to vary the length of the major portion of the arm locatedat said side of the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at theouter end of said arm, and a detachable electrical connection betweenthe socket on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

8. A readily removable extension lamp attachment for portable lamps ofthe type having an upright standard, an electric lamp socket and ashade, comprising an arm having an elongated body part and a relativelyshort inturned supporting part connected only at its outer end to thebody part and adapted for readily detachable connection with the lampstandard, an auxiliary lamp socket at the outer end of the arm, and anelectrical connection extending from the auxiliary socket for readilydetachable connection with the socket on the standard, said arm beingconstructed and arranged so that, when mounted in place, the supportingpart thereof projects outwardly a substantial distance at one side ofthe lamp standard while the body part extends across the top of the lampwith the major portion of the arm projecting outwardly at the oppositeside of the standard, and said body part of the arm is devoid of supportexcept for said connection with the supporting part of the arm.

9. The readily removable extension lamp attachment of claim 8 furthercharacterized in that said arm is made of one piece of resilient metal,whereby it is adapted to yieldably resist blows applied thereto andthereby prevent upsetting of the lamp when the attachment is in placethere- 10. An extension lamp attachment for portable floor lamps of thetype having an upright standard, an electric lamp socket, a shade andshade securing means, including an upstanding threaded stud on thestandard projecting through a portion of the shade structure and adetachable, internally threaded knob on the stud, comprising an armhaving an elongated body part and a relatively short, inturnedsupporting part connected only at its outer end to the body part, theinner portion of the supporting part being adapted for clampingarrangement between the knob and said portion of the shade structure andha ing an opening to receive said stud, an auxiliary I lamp socket atthe outer end of said arm, and an electrical connection extending fromthe auxiliary socket for readily detachable connection with the socketon the standard, said arm being constructed and arranged so that, whenin place on the lamp, the supporting part of the arm projects outwardlya substantial distance at one side of the lamp standard while the bodypart extends across the top of the lamp with the major portion of thearm projecting substantially horizontally outwardly at the opposite sideof the standard, said body part of the arm being devoid of supportexcept for said connection with the supporting part of the arm.

11. The extension lamp attachment of claim 10 further characterized inthat said arm is made entirely of a single fiat strip of resilient metalhaving openings therein at intervals through which said electricalconnection extends and the auxiliary lamp socket has a switch thereonand a universal connection with the outer end of the extension arm whichincludes a pair of loosely connected rings.

12. An extension attachment for a floor lamp of the type having anupright standard, a shade, a detachable shade securing member and anelectric lamp socket, comprising an elongated arm terminating in ahook-shaped part at one end having a supporting portion adapted to beclamped between said shade securing member and a portion of the floorlamp to firmly secure the extension in place and form the soleconnection between the attachment and the lamp, said arm proper, whenthe attachment is in place, having its major portion projectingoutwardly at one side of the lamp standard at the top thereof andconnectedat its inner end to said supporting portion only at a pointlocated a substantial distance on the opposite side of the lampstandard, an auxiliary lamp socket at the outer end of said arm, and adetachable electrical connection between the auxiliary socket and thesocket on the standard.

HAROLD A. MARSINO.

